An Inspired Chat with Celeste Talley of Phoenix

We recently had the chance to connect with Celeste Talley and have shared our conversation below.

Celeste, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I have two daughters and spending time with them brings me a lot of joy. It is great raising them with my husband and getting to see their faces every day. When I look at them I think about my dad and the sacrifices he made for me and my siblings. Parenthood brings joy on another level, but it is not easy. I often wonder about when they grow up, what they might want to be and if they want to carry the Simply Celeste’s legacy. I am very passionate about building generational wealth and want to instill the principles my dad taught me in them along the way. Even if they don’t want to walk in my footsteps, I will give them what they need to be successful in any vocation.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Celeste Talley and I am a celebrity chef and own a company called Simply Celeste’s. We are a private dining experience company as well a cheesecake purveyor for retail and other wholesale ventures. I started my company almost a decade ago after being inspired by my late father, Donald Roach Sr. He taught me how to cook and instilled the tools and principles needed to be a successful entrepreneur. He owned a restaurant in the early 1990s called Hearts of Lettuce and I wanted to follow in his footsteps. When my dad passed away in 2017, I hit a crossroads, I had the choice of giving up or to keep going, I chose the latter. I am now living out his legacy through Simply Celeste’s. We are currently working on getting our cheesecake in retail and mass distribution. We will start in Arizona and eventually go nationwide and global in the future.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My dad had a very high drive and work ethic. He was a very hard worker. He created an invention in which he obtained a patent and then sold it. He was a restauranteur and was an amazing chef, He was multifaceted and always a forward thinker. He gave me the cooking skills needed to create a successful business. Being innovative is key when it comes to business ownership.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
The loss of my mother at the tender age of 3 has shaped me. It was very difficult, to say the least, growing up without her and having no memories of her. As a child, I longed to know her and would ask my dad, brother and sister about my mom in order to try to fill that void. It is an ongoing struggle. It saddens me to think about my own children growing up without me. There’s no amount of money that could ever fill or replace that void. When I reach my peak of success, knowing the struggles that I had to endure along the way will make me appreciate the success that I have been fighting for all along.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
My dream to get my cheesecake as a household name is something that I am actively working on and will not give up. Giving up is what differentiates the winners from the ones that do not succeed. I continue to work on my craft daily and put in the work needed to build an empire. I have been in business for 9 years and in year 10 I plan to be in retail with our signature cheesecake. It is truly one of a kind and the best in class, it can go toe to toe with the biggest brands in the industry.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
My faith. My faith in God is my foundation. If everything were to be stripped away from me, I would still be rooted and ground in Jesus. I pray and read my bible on a regular basis. It is my source of hope of knowing there is a light at the end of the tunnel. God is watching over me and protecting me. He is the light of my path and a lamp to my feet. When the world passes away, the word of God will stand forever.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.simplycelestes.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/simplycelestes
• Linkedin: Celeste Talley
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/simplycelestes
• Yelp: Simply Celeste’s
• Youtube: Simply Celeste’s